The Lagos State High Court has ordered controversial social media critic Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to remove defamatory comments and videos concerning lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin.
Justice M. O. Dawodu delivered the ruling in suit no: ID/8584/GCM/2024 on Monday.
According to him, the publications made by VeryDarkMan on his social media accounts on September 24, 2024, linking Bobrisky to Falz and his father were defamatory and injurious to their public image.
In a Certified True Copy cited by our correspondent, Dawodu stated, “According to the applicants (Falz and Falana), the defendant (VeryDarkMan) knew these statements (Bobrisky’s claims) were false and untrue but proceeded to publish them to injure their reputation.
“Furthermore, the defamatory statements are still trending on the defendant (VeryDarkMan)’s several online platforms and the injury to their reputation continues as long as the publication remains online. The actions of the defendant (VeryDarkMan) have necessitated the applicants (Falz and Falana) to file this ex-parte application for pre-emptive remedies to prevent further acts of mischief that damages may not remedy, should the court find in favour of the applicants.
He further ruled, “The defendant, his agents, and privies are hereby restrained from further releasing, publishing, or circulating any defamatory videos or comments about the applicants and must remove the defamatory video or comments about the applicants published on September 24, 2024, on all his online social media handles/pages pending compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol of this honourable court.
“Leave is hereby granted to the applicants to serve the Pre-Action Bundles, Originating Processes, and all other court processes between the parties herein on the defendant by substituted means through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Esq., of Deji Adeyanju & Partners at Terrace Block D4, White Diamond Estate, Makuru Street, Of Embu Street, Of Aminu, Wuse I, Abuja.
“The applicants must file and serve the Pre-Action Bundles, Originating Processes, and other accompanying processes on the defendant within 14 days from today. The order in 1 above shall lapse after 21 days from today.”
Recall that Falz had demanded a retraction of defamatory statements made against him and his father in a recorded conversation involving Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, regarding financial assistance and legal intervention released by VeryDarkMan.
In a letter dated September 26, 2024, signed by Taiwo E. Olawanle, Esq., and posted on Falz’s Instagram page, Falana’s legal team addressed VeryDarkMan, the author of a social media post that insinuated Falz’s involvement in a scheme to secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky, who has been embroiled in legal troubles over Naira abuse charges.
According to the documents, Bobrisky had allegedly requested legal advice and financial help from Falz, asking for N3 million to pay correctional centre officials to secure VIP treatment during his detention.
In his response, while appearing before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions, VeryDarkMan said he did not believe Falana was involved in the alleged bribery.
He said, “Apparently, now, some people are taking advantage of what is going to target Femi Falana.
“Here, I apologise. It’s so sad that his name was included in that audio. I couldn’t believe it as well; that is the part that irritated me more when I said I refuse to believe that he is a party to something like that.”
VeryDarkMan also urged rapper Falz to come and join him in fighting corruption in Nigeria.
